Workshop on domestic trade development strategy to 2025

The strategy is expected to address issues pertaining to the organization of traditional and modern distribution channels; commercial infrastructure; forms of business; types of firms and cooperatives and household business for separate product lines and for urban and rural areas, said director of the MoIT’s Domestic Market Department Vo Van Quyen.

It also clarifies the role of the State, businesses and trade associations in the management, building and development of distribution systems with a view to enhancing the role and position of domestic firms in the context of global integration, he added.

Trade activities at home should accord with Vietnam’s commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and signed bilateral and multilateral trade agreements on opening the distribution market, including wholesale, retail, and franchise, Quyen emphasised.

Director of the Institute for Trade Research under the MoIT Pham Nguyen Minh said the third draft of the strategy has basically satisfied the requirements, but suggested supplementing some contents for the development and modernization of trade, especially increasing the rate of localization.

Minh also called for more attention to building supply chains for export and a distribution network of imported goods in the domestic market to ensure sustainable economic, social and environmental development.

Le Trinh Minh Chau, a representative from the USAID, said the domestic trade development target for 2025 with a vision towards 2035 is to create modern and professional wholesale and retail services with the participation of many economic sectors under various forms, and with perse distribution channels.

He proposed that strategic solutions should focus on improving business environment, and creating a transparent and equal business environment for wholesale and retail companies.